Case: Washington Election Integrity Coalition v. Bradrick

2:21-cv-01386 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington

Filed Date: Oct. 12, 2021

Closed Date: Sept. 30, 2022

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Case Summary

This is a case alleging ballot misconduct in Whatcom County, Washington. On September 13, 2021, a voting integrity nonprofit and several individual voters filed suit against Whatcom County and the Whatcom County Auditor under various state and federal causes of action, including the Freedom of Information Act and the Help America Vote Act, related to alleged misconduct in handling of ballots during the November 2020 general election. Plaintiffs claimed to have observed an election official man…

This is a case alleging ballot misconduct in Whatcom County, Washington.

On September 13, 2021, a voting integrity nonprofit and several individual voters filed suit against Whatcom County and the Whatcom County Auditor under various state and federal causes of action, including the Freedom of Information Act and the Help America Vote Act, related to alleged misconduct in handling of ballots during the November 2020 general election. Plaintiffs claimed to have observed an election official manually "fixing" paper ballots, ballots improperly handled without protective envelopes, and that that defendant used an uncertified voting system among other alleged irregularities. Plaintiffs sought declaratory relief and injunctive relief to secure the integrity of the ballot. The case was originally filed in the Superior Court of Washington but removed to the Western District of Washington on October 21, 2021.

On September 30, 2022, the Western District of Washington dismissed the case sua sponte for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Specifically, the court noted that plaintiffs failed to establish standing, as the plaintiffs did not allege that they suffered any “concrete, particularized, and actual or imminent” injury by the Auditor's actions. In addition, the court lacked supplemental jurisdiction over plaintiffs' state law claims. The court refused to remand back to state court because it determined that “a remand to state court would be futile.”

The case is now closed.

Summary Authors

Garrett Peery (5/27/2024)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/60638002/parties/washington-election-integrity-coalition-united-v-bradrick/

Judge(s)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Attorney for Defendant

Buckingham, Royce (Washington)

Castillo, Callie A (Washington)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Almon-Griffin, Reina A (Washington)

Arora, Nitika (Washington)

Beane, Amanda J (Washington)

Judge(s)

Jones, Richard A. (Washington)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Grant, Joseph (Washington)

Hocker, Darcy Lynn (Washington)

Hopf, Evelyn (Washington)

Shogren, Virginia Pearson (Washington)

Attorney for Defendant

Buckingham, Royce (Washington)

Castillo, Callie A (Washington)

Other

Almon-Griffin, Reina A (Washington)

Arora, Nitika (Washington)

Beane, Amanda J (Washington)

Hamilton, Kevin J (Washington)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1 2:21-cv-01386	Notice of Removal and Complaint Washington Election Int v. Bradrick	Oct. 12, 2021	Oct. 12, 2021 Complaint
6 2:21-cv-01386	Answer to Complaint Washington Election Int v. Bradrick	Oct. 15, 2021	Oct. 15, 2021 Pleading / Motion / Brief
14-1 2:21-cv-01386	Washington State Democratic Central Committee's [Proposed] Answer Washington Election Int v. Bradrick	Oct. 27, 2021	Oct. 27, 2021 Pleading / Motion / Brief
14-2 2:21-cv-01386	Proposed Order Granting the Washington State Demo. Central Committee's Motion to Intervene Washington Election Int v. Bradrick	Oct. 27, 2021	Oct. 27, 2021 Pleading / Motion / Brief
16-1 2:21-cv-01386	Joinder in Opposition to Motion to Intervene Washington Election Int v. Bradrick	Nov. 5, 2021	Nov. 5, 2021 Pleading / Motion / Brief
17 2:21-cv-01386	Proposed Intervenor Defendant's Reply in Support of Motion to Intervene Washington Election Int v. Bradrick	Nov. 9, 2021	Nov. 9, 2021 Pleading / Motion / Brief
19 2:21-cv-01386	Reply in Support of Motion to Remand Washington Election Int v. Bradrick	Nov. 19, 2021	Nov. 19, 2021 Pleading / Motion / Brief
24 2:21-cv-01386	Order Denying Motion to Remand, Denying Motion to Intervene, and Dismissing the Case Sua Sponte for Lack of Subject Matter Jurisdiction Washington Election Int v. Bradrick	Sept. 30, 2022	Sept. 30, 2022 Order/Opinion 2022 WL 4598504
25 2:21-cv-01386	Judgment in a Civil Case Washington Election Int v. Bradrick	Oct. 3, 2022	Oct. 3, 2022 Order/Opinion

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/60638002/washington-election-integrity-coalition-united-v-bradrick/

Last updated Aug. 31, 2026, 4:40 a.m.

Docket for: Washington Election Integrity Coalition United v. Bradrick

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	Oct. 12, 2021	NOTICE OF REMOVAL from Whatcom County Superior Court, case number 21-2-00949-37; (Receipt # AWAWDC-7287705), filed by Whatcom County. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Complaint Operative state court complaint-separate, # 3 Affidavit of service to -Whatcom County Superior Court and Plaintiffs)(Buckingham, Royce) (Additional attachment(s) added on 10/25/2021: # 4 Whatcom County Notice of Appearance) (SR). (Entered: 10/12/2021) 1 Civil Cover Sheet View on RECAP 2 Complaint Operative state court complaint-separate View on RECAP 3 Affidavit of service to -Whatcom County Superior Court and Plaintiffs View on RECAP 4 Whatcom County Notice of Appearance View on RECAP	Clearinghouse
2	Oct. 14, 2021	Notice of Filing Deficiency *Action Required* Notice of Removal - Jury Demand Improperly Submitted, Notice of Related Cases Omitted.See attached letter for more information and instructions. Notice of Related Case must be filed by 10/19/2021. (RE) (Entered: 10/14/2021)	RECAP
3	Oct. 14, 2021	LETTER from Clerk to re receipt of case from Whatcom County Superior Court and advising of WAWD case number and judge assignment.JURY DEMAND - NOT submitted properly or NOT on file (Please refer to LCR 101(b)(3) to file a proper jury demand) (cc all plaintiffs via USPS) (RE) (Entered: 10/14/2021)	RECAP
4	Oct. 14, 2021	NOTICE of Related Case(s) 3:21-cv-05726; 2:21-cv-1354; 3:21-cv-05746-RAJ; 2:21-cv-01394-JCC, by Defendant Whatcom County. (Buckingham, Royce) (Entered: 10/14/2021)	RECAP
5	Oct. 14, 2021	Notice of Filing Deficiency *Action Required*Regarding Plaintiff Washington Election Integrity Coalition United's pro se status.See attached letter for more information and instructions. (KB) cc Washington Election Integrity Coalition United via USPS (Entered: 10/14/2021)	RECAP
	Oct. 14, 2021	Judge Theresa L Fricke added. (RE)
	Oct. 14, 2021	NOTICE Pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P 7.1, Plaintiff(s) Washington Election Integrity Coalition United must file a Corporate Disclosure Statement by 10/21/2021. (cc via USPS) (RE)
	Oct. 14, 2021	Add and Terminate Judges
	Oct. 14, 2021	Corporate Disclosure Statement - Notice of Deadlines
6	Oct. 15, 2021	ANSWER to Complaint; by Whatcom County.(Buckingham, Royce) (Entered: 10/15/2021)	Clearinghouse
7	Oct. 17, 2021	NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Virginia Pearson Shogren on behalf of Plaintiff Washington Election Integrity Coalition United. (Shogren, Virginia) (Entered: 10/17/2021)	RECAP
8	Oct. 18, 2021	STANDING ORDER for Civil Cases Assigned to Judge Richard A. Jones. (cc: Pro Se Plaintiffs via USPS) (VE) (Entered: 10/18/2021)	RECAP
	Oct. 18, 2021	Case reassigned to Judge Richard A. Jones as related to 2:21-cv-01354-RAJ. Judge Theresa L. Fricke no longer assigned to the case. (cc: Pro se Plaintiffs via USPS) (VE)
	Oct. 18, 2021	Case Assigned/Reassigned to Judge
9	Oct. 20, 2021	ORDER REGARDING FRCP 26(f) CONFERENCE, INITIAL DISCLOSURES, AND JOINT STATUS REPORT. FRCP 26(f) Conference Deadline is 11/3/2021, Initial Disclosure Deadline is 11/10/2021, Joint Status Report due by 11/17/2021, by Judge Richard A. Jones. (cc: Pro Se Plaintiffs via USPS) (VE) (Entered: 10/20/2021)	RECAP
10	Oct. 22, 2021	VERIFICATION OF STATE COURT RECORDS by Defendant Whatcom County (Buckingham, Royce) (Entered: 10/22/2021)	RECAP
11	Oct. 22, 2021	MOTION to Remand, filed by Plaintiff Washington Election Integrity Coalition United. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration, # 2 Proposed Order) Noting Date 11/19/2021, (Shogren, Virginia) (Entered: 10/22/2021)	RECAP
12	Oct. 25, 2021	NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Kevin J Hamilton on behalf of Intervenor Washington State Democratic Party. (Hamilton, Kevin) (Entered: 10/25/2021)	RECAP
13	Oct. 25, 2021	NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Callie A Castillo on behalf of Defendants Diana Bradrick, Whatcom County. (Castillo, Callie) (Entered: 10/25/2021)	RECAP
	Oct. 26, 2021	Attorneys Amanda J Beane, Reina A Almon-Griffin, Nitika Arora added for Washington State Democratic Party; per 12 Notice of Appearance. (SR)
	Oct. 26, 2021	Add and Terminate Attorneys
14	Oct. 27, 2021	MOTION to Intervene Attorney Kevin J Hamilton added to party Washington State Democratic Central Committee(pty:intv), filed by Intervenor Washington State Democratic Central Committee. Oral Argument Requested. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A-D, # 2 Proposed Order) Noting Date 11/12/2021, (Hamilton, Kevin) (Entered: 10/27/2021) 1 Exhibit A-D View on RECAP 2 Proposed Order View on RECAP	RECAP
15	Oct. 27, 2021	CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT indicating no Corporate Parents and/or Affiliates. Filed pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P 7.1. Filed by Washington State Democratic Central Committee (Hamilton, Kevin) (Entered: 10/27/2021)	RECAP
	Oct. 27, 2021	***Deadlines terminated. The Court acknowledges the requirements of FRCP 16(b), but finds good cause to VACATE the deadlines contained in the 9 ORDER REGARDING FRCP 26(f) CONFERENCE, INITIAL DISCLOSURES, AND JOINT STATUS REPORT pending the Court's ruling on 11 MOTION to Remand, filed by Plaintiff Washington Election Integrity Coalition United. (cc: Pro Se Plaintiffs via USPS) (VE)
	Oct. 27, 2021	Terminate Deadlines/Hearings
16	Nov. 5, 2021	RESPONSE, by Plaintiff Washington Election Integrity Coalition United, to 14 MOTION to Intervene Attorney Kevin J Hamilton added to party Washington State Democratic Central Committee(pty:intv). (Attachments: # 1 Joinder)(Shogren, Virginia) (Entered: 11/05/2021) 1 Joinder View on RECAP	RECAP
17	Nov. 9, 2021	REPLY, filed by Intervenor Washington State Democratic Central Committee, TO RESPONSE to 14 MOTION to Intervene Attorney Kevin J Hamilton added to party Washington State Democratic Central Committee(pty:intv) (Hamilton, Kevin) (Entered: 11/09/2021)	Clearinghouse
18	Nov. 15, 2021	RESPONSE, by Defendants Diana Bradrick, Whatcom County, to 11 MOTION to Remand . (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Castillo, Callie) (Entered: 11/15/2021) 1 Proposed Order View on PACER	RECAP
19	Nov. 19, 2021	REPLY, filed by Plaintiff Washington Election Integrity Coalition United, TO RESPONSE to 11 MOTION to Remand (Shogren, Virginia) (Entered: 11/19/2021)	Clearinghouse
	Dec. 20, 2021	MINUTE ORDER (text only) authorized by Judge Richard A. Jones. Case reassigned to Judge Lauren King. Judge Richard A. Jones no longer assigned to the case. (cc: Pro Se Plaintiffs via USPS) (VE)
	Dec. 20, 2021	Case Assigned/Reassigned to Judge
20	Dec. 30, 2021	ORDER REGARDING 28 U.S.C. § 455(b)(2) AND CANON 3(C)(1)(B) OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT FOR UNITED STATES JUDGES by Judge Lauren King. (cc: Pro Se Plaintiffs via USPS) (NAW) (Entered: 12/30/2021)	RECAP
21	Jan. 4, 2022	NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF COUNSEL: Attorney Nitika Arora for Intervenor Parties Washington State Democratic Central Committee, Washington State Democratic Party. (Arora, Nitika) (Entered: 01/04/2022)	RECAP
22	May 3, 2022	NOTICE of Supplemental Authority re 14 MOTION to Intervene Attorney Kevin J Hamilton added to party Washington State Democratic Central Committee(pty:intv) by Intervenor Washington State Democratic Central Committee (Almon-Griffin, Reina) (Entered: 05/03/2022)	RECAP
23	June 30, 2022	NOTICE of Supplemental Authority re 14 MOTION to Intervene Attorney Kevin J Hamilton added to party Washington State Democratic Central Committee(pty:intv) by Intervenor Washington State Democratic Central Committee (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A-D)(Almon-Griffin, Reina) (Entered: 06/30/2022)	RECAP
24	Sept. 30, 2022	ORDER: The Court DENIES WEICU's motion to remand, Dkt. No. 11 , and sua sponte DISMISSES Plaintiffs' claims without prejudice. The Washington State Democratic Central Committee's Motion to Intervene, Dkt. No. 14 , is DENIED as moot. Signed by Judge Lauren King. (LH) Modified on 9/30/2022 to indicate mail-out to pro se plaintiffs (LH).	Clearinghouse
25	Oct. 3, 2022	JUDGMENT BY COURT: THE COURT HAS ORDERED THAT for the reasons set forth in the Court's September 30, 2022 Order, judgment is entered in favor of Defendants and against Plaintiffs, and Plaintiffs' claims are dismissed without prejudice. (LH) (cc: Pro se plaintiffs via US mail) (Entered: 10/03/2022)	RECAP

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Case Details

State / Territory:

Washington

Case Type(s):

Election/Voting Rights

Special Collection(s):

Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA) project

Key Dates

Filing Date: Oct. 12, 2021

Closing Date: Sept. 30, 2022

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

A nonprofit organization with a stated concern for election integrity.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Non-profit NON-religious organization

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

County

Whatcom County, Washington

Case Details

Causes of Action:

FOIA (Freedom of Information Act), 5 U.S.C. § 552

Help America Vote Act (HAVA), 52 U.S.C. § 20901 et seq (previously 42 U.S.C. § 15301 et seq)

State law

Other Dockets:

Western District of Washington 2:21-cv-01386

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Relief Granted:

Declaratory Judgment

Document/information produced

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Issues

Voting:

Election administration

Vote dilution

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of Washington Election Integrity Coalition v. Bradrick, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/44619/ (last updated 5/27/2024).